Architecture Walk: Founders Memorial Cemetery

Join Preservation Houston's Architecture Walks Program on Sunday evening, September 13, as we explore the final resting place of Houston's earliest prominent citizens.

Located in the shadow of the downtown skyscrapers, Founders Memorial Cemetery is one of the few physical links to the early days of Houston and Texas. The plot of land along the San Felipe Road (now West Dallas Avenue) began being used for burials shortly after Houston was founded in 1836, and among those who rest here are many veterans of the Texas Revolution, heroes of the Battle of San Jacinto and government officials of the Republic of Texas, including Henry Livingston Thompson, commodore of the Texas Navy; John Wharton, called the "keenest blade of San Jacinto"; and John Kirby Allen, one of Houston's founders. Our tour tells their stories, which are also the stories of Texas' beginnings, and also explores the history of this significant burial ground.

Please note that there are no public restrooms available at the cemetery.

Tickets will go on sale at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, September 13, 2015, outside the gate of Founders Memorial Cemetery, 1217 West Dallas at Valentine. Admission is $10 for the general public ($7 for Preservation Houston members and students with valid ID). Those who walk, ride a bike or use public transit to get to the tour will receive a $2 discount. Children 11 years old and under are admitted free. Tickets may be charged to Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover. The last tour group will leave just after 6 p.m. Advance reservations are not required for this tour.